PAGE 4 THE DALLAS POST Sunday, August 22, 2010 Car leads couple Into marriage By SARAH HITE shite@mydallaspost.com When Bob Berkey first saw the 1923 Ford Model T Depot Hack in his girlfriend’s uncle’s garage in 1973, he knew he would do any- thing to drive it — or even just get aride in it. “You have to marry me,” said his girlfriend. And that’s just what he did. Bob and his wife (and former girl- friend) Cathy have owned the car for the past five years, but it has been in Cathy’s family for 33 years. “If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have the car now,” he said. Though the Depot Hack’s body is detailed with wood and there’s no glass in its windows, a little rain couldn’t keep the Berkeys away from the Back Mountain Antique Car Show on Sunday, Aug. 15. People often question Berkey when he drives the 87-year-old car onto a lot. “A lot of people say, ‘How'd you get it here?” he said, laughing. “I drove it here!” The Depot Hack was designed to transport train passengers from stations to their destina- tions. The car was also once used to drive wedding parties to cere- monies. “It’s just a fun vehicle,” he said. “I get lots of looks, lots of thumbs up.” The car is local, too — Berkey says it was sold in Wilkes-Barre and its body was made in Lancas- ter. It once belonged to former state Sen. Andrew Sordoni and Cathy’s uncle, Lambert Swindle, was the chief mechanic for Sordo- ni Construction for 50 years. When it came time for someone to choose one of Sordoni’s an- tique cars to use in parades, Swin- dle always chose the Depot Hack — it was his favorite car. “When (Swindle) retired, Sar- doni said, ‘As a retirement gift, take one of my cars,” said Berkey. So Swindle chose the Model T and the rest is history. Sordoni restored the car some time in the late 1940s or early 1950s. Much of the car’s body is original and the engine was re- built in 2007. Sordoni says it’s the 8,059,518th Model T made. There aren’t that many of Bob Franklin's 1949 Dodge Coronet Convertible around. “They made 2,411 of them — there are 13 left,” said the Trucks- ville resident. “Three in Pennsyl- vania and I've got one of them.” When Franklin bought the car, the convertible top didn’t work and mechanical work was neces- sary. Franklin says he won’t buy an antique car if it needs body work. This Dodge was in pretty good shape — even the clock worked. “That used to be the first thing that went on it,” he said. “Gener- ally, when you got it (home) from the dealer, the clocks wouldn’t work.” The car was built with a lot of stainless steel, so body rusting was never a problem. The 6-cylin- der flathead engine can max out at 100 miles per hour but Franklin has never seen that odometer reading. Even though you won't see benefits the Lake-Lehman Band. Franklin’s car in the passing lane anytime soon, it doesn’t mean the car isn’t impressive. “I had it out on the Fourth of July and I stopped for gas,” he said. “A state policeman drove by and he was tooting and waving — even he noticed it.” Franklin plans to keep the clas- sic car in the family and he’s al- ready got someone in mind to take over ownership. His son-in- law, Dan McCabe, took his 1947 Chrysler Windsor Highlander to the event at the Luzerne County Fairgrounds. “We go every weekend to dif- ferent cruises,” said McCabe. “It’s a good way to talk to other car owners and find out what’s available.” The 27th Annual Back Moun- tain Antique Car Show was spon- sored by the Lake-Lehman Marching Band and featured ven- dors, music and food stands. Pro- ceeds from the event will help fund marching band activities. “It’s tough for any school to completely fund all programs,” said Jeff Gerlin, chairman of the show. Gerlin believes even rain can’t keep away car enthusiasts. “You still see smiles on people’s faces.” CHARLOTTE BARTIZEK PHOTOS/ FOR THE DALLAS POST Bob Franklin and his friend from Trucksville had fun - despite the rain - in Franklin's maroon Chrysler at the Lehman Car Show which Keith Swanson, of Vernon, exhib- [*% its for the first time at the Leh- man Car Show which benefits the | Lake-Lehman Band. CIVIC BRIEFS Legion conducts peach sale Daddow-Isaacs Dallas Amer- ican Legion Post 672 is con- ducting its annual Perfect and last approximately 45 min- utes. Participants may join or depart at any time. The tours are free and open to the general public as well as patients and their families and guests. Meet the artist in the front lobby by the information desk on any of the following eve- Dallas Alzheimer’s Support Group will meet at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 2, in the chapel of the Meadows Nursing and Rehab. Center, 55 W. Cen- ter Hill Rd., Dallas. Round Table The 2010 Dallas Harvest Festival Steering Committee is conducting the First Dallas Days Photography Contest. The contest is open through September 14 to any Back Mountain resident who wish- es to “capture the beauty and culture of the Back Mountain” in a still photograph. More information and con- test rules are available by con- Dallas Days Photography Contest open until September 4 tacting Gina Major, photo contest coordinator, at gma- jor@aol.com, Photography by Andy at 696-4646 or the Dal- las Harvest Festival at 675- 1950. Peach Sale. Orders may be picked up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. nings: Tuesday, Aug. 24; Sun- day, Sept. 5; or Friday, Oct. 1. schedules meeting on Saturday, Aug. 28, at the Call Sue Hand or Heather The Wyoming Valley Civil —— avy A— Post Home. Madeira at 675-5094 for more War Round Table will begin its A Orders may be placed with information. 14th year at 7 p.m. on Thurs- % Building a day, Sept. 9, with guest speaker James A. Hessler presenting his any Post 672 committee mem- ber or at the Post Home. Fur- Beef dinner planned ther information is available program on “Sickles at Gettys- from Clarence J. Michael at The Sweet Valley volunteer ~~ burg” in the lower level of the Where Learning ls A Fun Pert Of Growling Upi™® 675-0488. Fire Company will hold a fam- Daddow-Isaac American Le- ily-style beef dinner from 4:30 gion, 730 Memorial Hwy., Dal- NEW ENROLLING FOR THE NEW SCHOOL YEARE Old N S 5, to 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. las. Infants, Toddlers, Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, School Age Programs. oxen JCnoo ir with takeouts beginning at 1 enh onation io Dallas Elementary, Wyealis Elementary 2g Gale o Heaven Sehools, i 1c p.m. ’ man Jackson nta ake Noxen Elementary in the Lake Lehman School District. : open to visitors Cost is $8 for adults, s4 for Farmers Market ” y I'@ The Noxen Historical Com- children between the ages of 6 : q 25 NoTV on Site ; Unique classroom design f munity Association, Inc. will and 11 and free for children continues to ept. Hands on Learning Environment Strengthening Social/Emotional hold an Open House from 1to under the age of 6. The Farmers’ Market will be Keystone Stars Accredited & Academic Skills . Curriculum aligned with the Flexible schedule accommodations 4 p.m. today, Aug. 22, at the held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Noxen Historical Community Saturdays through September PA Early Learning Standards Full time and part time enroliments Center (Old Noxen School), Alzheimer $ Support 25 at the Back Mountain Me- = . Re _R . Eri : Ie Open: 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Monday - Friday School Street, Noxen. Group plans meeting morial Library, 96 Huntsville 0 . : The art works of Chuck Ko- Rd., Dallas. A\ - Conveniently Located in the Twin Stacks Center valick and his students will be B 1168 Memorial Hwy, Dallas PA 18612 on dispisy. 3 isht refreshments www.BuildingBlocksLearningCenter.com e provided. : . in 3 : Visitors will also have the iy rank Call Miss Allison at our Admissions Office at opportunity to visit the Schenck Memorial Library. 2th Qual Quality For more information, call i : The gi traction Inc. J) Sue Hand will conduct walking tours ® New Residential Construction We Are Hiring, Call Us Today! | EE D> * Custom Remodeling | 0 €1nz institute e @ Northeastern Pennsylvania 4 » Commercial Projects Ho me Health Aides, Car eGivers, | de oh * Land Development ; . , | tours of her paintings exhibited www.frankcareyconstruction.com & Cer tified Nurs ng Assistants. | i nn Pay ks Office: 570-655-2374 | Each tour will beginat 7pm. | ¥ Direct: 570-237-1444 PA015323 ~ Get The Benefits h (017 » [-I-TgV/ oY. Social Security LJ » LJ Disability Claimants represented by attorneys are more successful in obtaining benefits. Call me for a FREE CONSULTATION. | can help. Member of the National Organization of Social Security Claimants’ Representatives Janet A. Conser Aftomey At Law TWILIGHT DINNER SPECIALS Starting at 159 95 Monday through Saturday 4:30-5:30 PM * Non-Medical In-Home * Home Health Services @ * Medical Supplies * Handyman Services * Medical Alert Buttons * Facility Staffing Bar Onb Dining Room bacluded Phone: 696-3580 www. FIREandICEonTOBYCREEK.com RT 309, Trucksville - Just North of Sheetz (Former Yesterday’s Location) 1575 Wyoming? Ave, Forty Fort 283-1200 NW v CAREGIVERS
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